French perfume house, BDK Parfums has announced the launch of its latest creation, Ambre Safrano. This fragrance combines the strength and warmth of ambered spice, mixed with a leathery accord to create a sensual scent that is both burning and enticing. It explores the different facets of its emblematic raw material, creating an intense and voluptuous scent.
In continuing the tradition of its predecessor, Ambre Safrano transports its wearer to the burning heat of the orient. The perfume opens with blended notes of saffron, Madagascar black pepper and plum, which create a deep and spicy fragrance that is both earthy and floral. At the heart, a duality of Turkish Rose and an intense black leather accord brings forth refinement and nobility, before wrapping up with Vanilla, which adds warmth to the composition with woody undertones that evoke sensuality through Sandalwood and Oakwood.
Composer, Julien Rasquinet says, “Saffron’s symbolism is very rich. During antiquity, it embodied sensuality and exquisite pleasure. In India, it represents luck. It can suggest color, wealth, joy, opulence… Working on saffron imagery is telling all these stories simultaneously. For Ambre Safrano, I attired it with amber’s gilded fineries, to make it even more precious. Sandalwood, Vanilla and Oakwood contribute to crafting an enhancing leather skin.”
We catch up with David Benedek, CEO of BDK Parfums to discuss the latest launch and much more;
How long does it take to create a new fragrance?
A new fragrance takes me between 8 months to 2 years to launch. Creating a new fragrance is not only about the olfactory formula but also about the message you want to deliver through this creation. Technically speaking, you sometimes need to explore many directions to understand where you want to go, and sometimes you have to step back with the formula.
What does your creative process look like?
Since I was a teenager, I’ve been passionate about painting, I used to paint a lot and I think I kept some of those reflexes when it comes to perfume. When I imagine a new perfume, I think about colours and textures. I need this abstract approach to then be able to choose the olfactory direction I want to go.
Which part do you enjoy the most? The creative or business side of things?
Without a doubt, the creative part. BDK Parfums is composed of a small team of amazing people, as of now, I am still handling both parts, business and creative.
Do you think the ability to be a nose is innate or something that can be taught?
Definitely, it’s something that can be taught, you just have to be a very hard worker, and you have to be driven by passion.
What are the top notes of Ambre Safrano?
The top notes of Ambre Safrano are a beautiful Saffron Accord, Black Pepper, and Plum.
Do you consider trends or consumers’ desires when working on a new fragrance?
Never! as a child, I spent time in my parent’s perfume shop which allowed me to be immersed in the culture of perfume. It made me very curious, so that’s why BDK Parfums is exploring many olfactory directions but keeping the same signature. I never follow trends, only my emotions and I always hope that these emotions are going to talk to people.
Do you think social media has any impact on the fragrance industry and how is BDK responding to this?
I think social media is an amazing tool to federate people around perfume. At the basics, I am not very involved in these social platforms, but I discovered that it was a great way to show your creations and exchange with your customers all around the world.
I’ve met passionate fragrance lovers all around the globe and I think it’s amazing.
As an independent perfume house, what do you think about the consolidation of brands currently happening in the industry?
I am very proud to stay an independent brand, but I can understand that sometimes having a partner as an important luxury group can help you to develop your company.The perfume industry is highly competitive one, but at the end creative brands remain, weather you are independent or not.
What’s next for BDK Parfums?
The very exciting news for this year is that we’re opening our first BDK Parfums flagship store in Paris rue Saint Honoré. For me it’s a milestone, the concretization of 6 years of work around creativity and passion. Also, we’re planning to launch 3 new fragrances, a new one in Collection Parisienne, a new Harrods exclusive, and another Extrait version of one of our best-sellers.
Ambre Saffron is now available in boutiques and e-shops across the world. It is available in a 100ml bottle priced at 940 AED.
